Sachin Pilot On High Traffic Fines: For Rules But This Is Impractical

Speaking against the newly implemented Motor Vehicle Law by the Centre, Congress leader Sachin Pilot said that the law is not practical. "We are not against bringing a behavorial change. But it is not practical. Mere fines will not bring a behavorial change. If you only increase the fine, nothing can happen. I am not agianst the fines levelled but these are impractical laws. Gujarat govt has also agreed to it." Earlier calling the penalties, a decision made in “haste,” Rajasthan Transport Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas said, “Penalties should be such that people are fearful but can also pay those hefty fines.

10 states opposing the move

GUJARAT: The Gujarat government on Tuesday reduced fine amounts stipulated in the new Motor Vehicles Act passed recently. Making the announcement, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said the fines laid down in the new Act were the maximum suggested and his government had reduced them after detailed deliberations. While the new Act stipulated a fine of Rs 1,000 for riding without a helmet, the Gujarat government on Tuesday finalised the amount at Rs 500. Similar is the case with driving a four-wheeler without wearing a seat-belt. Claiming that the Gujarat government was not showing leniency to traffic violators by reducing fines, Rupani pointed out that penalties fixed now are still up to 10 times of that charged before the new Act came into force.

ODISHA: The Odisha government on Monday relaxed implementation of the new traffic rules for three months. The government also said it would soon consider reducing the fine amounts.

MAHARASHTRA: Maharashtra Transport minister Diwakar Raote reportedly said that fines in the new Act were "steep" and the government was reviewing.

KERALA:The ruling CPI(M) and opposition Congress on Sunday came out against the hefty fines imposed for violations under the amended Act. They said that it would put additional burden on the common man.

MADHYA PRADESH: M.P Chief Minister Kamal Nath said his government will first study the new amendments in the Motor Vehicles Act and then decide. Kamal Nath said he does not agree with the enhanced penalties imposed for violations of traffic rules, as per reports.

WEST BENGAL: The West Bengal government did not enforced the new penalties stating that they are not on the “same page over the fine,” with the Centre.

TELANGANA: A committee has been formed by the state government to study the Act and the recommendations of the panel would be sent to the Transport Minister and Chief Minister for approval. Until then, the new set of penalties would not be implemented in the state.

PUNJAB: For the time being the provisions of the amended Motor Vehicle rules would not be applicable in the state,” Punjab Transport Minister Razia Sultana said.

PUDUCHERRY: Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said the hefty fines will be imposed only after the government first generates awareness among the public on the provisions of the Act.

CHHATTISGARH: Congress government in Chhattisgarh is also yet to implement the new penalty provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. “It should not have hefty fines…The state government is examining in which form the act can be implemented. We are also looking at whether the state government can make amendments to it,” Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu said.

Motor Vehicles Act

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha on July 15, 2019, by the Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari. The Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2019 was implemented on September 1 and contains 63 provisions that deal with penalties. Below are some of the changes in the traffic rules as per the Amendment:

Penalty for drunken driving has been increased to 6 months imprisonment and/or Rs 10,000 fine for the first offence.

Penalty for racing / speeding has been increased to imprisonment of up to 1 month and/or fine up to Rs 500 for first offence.

Penalty for travelling without helmet has been increased to fine up to Rs 1,000.

Fine for not wearing seatbelt has been increased from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000.

Fine for talking on a mobile phone while driving has been increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000.

Punishment for juveniles for offences will include Rs 25,000 and imprisonment up to 3 years and cancellation of registration of motor vehicle for 12 months.

Fine for individuals driving without licence has been increased from up to Rs 500 to Rs 5,000.

Penalty for travelling without ticket has been increased from up to Rs 200 to Rs 500.